‘What an idea!’ – Le Havre sporting director laughs off Luka Elsner sacking talk

“We are where we should be,” Le Havre AC sporting director Mathieu Bodmer tells L’Équipe. Not that their current standing, in the relegation play-off spot, is where they want to be. 

Despite the “euphoria” around Le Havre after a good first half to the season, Bodmer says he always expected the club to be in a battle for survival come the end of the season. The sporting director garnered high praise for the way in which Le Havre earned promotion back to Ligue 1 last season and amidst interest from other ‘bigger’ clubs, he chose to remain with Les Ciel et Marine, signing a contract extension earlier in 2024. 

With Le Havre sliding deeper into the relegation scrap, questions have been asked about the managerial situation at the club. Luka Elsner has worked miracles since arriving in 2022 and for Bodmer, there is no question of parting ways. “Sacking Luka? What an idea! Luka and his staff are 500% focused on the objective of staying up,” said Bodmer, who said that the club would remain “united until the end, no matter what happens.”

Whilst Le Havre’s Ligue 1 status hangs in the balance with just four games remaining, there is seemingly one certainty: be it in the top flight or France’s second tier, Elsner will be on the touchline at the Stade Océane next season. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle